Combined photograph folder and easel



Oct. 12 1926.

- AVA. LAWRENCE COMBINED PHOTOGRAPH FOLDER AND EASEL Fi y 5, 1924 2 Sheets-$heet 1 ArflmrALawrezwa ama ATTORNEY Oct. 12,1926. 1,602,583

' A. A. LAWRENCE COMBINED PHOTOGRAPH FOLDER AND EASEL Filed July 5, 1924 2 sheets sheet 2 INVENTOR,

I ArfluirALawrence,

WXW

Patented Oct. 12, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR A. LAVFRENCE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO EASTMAN KODAK COM- PANY, 03E ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COMBINED PHOTOGRAPH FOLDER AND EASEL.

Application filed July 2,

This invention relates to combined folders and easels in which pictures, such as photographs, are mounted so as to be safely and neatly transported and so as to be read ily displayed when desired. One object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind of relatively inexpensive construction which can be quickly and securely converted into a folder for protecting and transporting the contents, and into an easel for dis playing them. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which the parts which form the exterior of the folder are not deformed when moved and engaged to form an easel. Still another object is to provide means for obtaining simply and quickly an effective engagement between the parts when in the easel position. Anotl1er object is to provide not only a picture-receiving panel but one or more auxiliary wings attached thereto. A still further object is to provide means for holding such wings in predeter mined relation to the panel when the parts are bent and joined into the form of an easel; preferably the wings being in alignment with the paneLi Another object is to provide said means in such a form that they will readily fold up with the rest of the parts, so as to be invisible when the device is converted into a folder. Other objects will hereinafter appear. o

In the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters denote like parts throughout,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of my device when folded as an easel;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same form of device with the parts folded to constitute a folder;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same de vice with the parts opened into the same plane to make their relation clear;

Fig. t is a top plan view of another form of my device, the parts being opened into substantially the same plane for clearness;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the front of still another form of my device;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same with the parts in easel position;

Fig. 7 is atop plan view of yet another form of my invention, the parts being opened into substantially the same plane to make their relation clearer;

5 is a top plan View the farm 924.. Serial No. 723,943.

shown in Fig. 7 with the parts folded into the position in which they constitute an easel.

While I shall describe several formsof my invention for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that the invention is not re-' stricted to these forms, or any one of them, except as indicated in the appended claims. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a panel 1,'pref erably of rectangular shape and made of tough cardboard of the type commonly employed in this art, is provided with a flap 2, swingingly connected to one edge of the panel about the fold or line 3. It is convenient'to have the wing of approximately the same size as the panel 1, so as to overlie the latter when folded about the'line 3. The front or picture-receiving face of panel 1 may be plain or may be provided with any suitable orb quick-attaching devices for pictures photographs, such as triangular corner pockets 4 illustrated in Fig. 3. Likewise the front face of wing 2 may be plain or it may receive a picture and can also be provided with corner pockets tl. As shown in Fig. 3, the corner pockets 4 and 41 are symmetrical about fold 3 and, therefore, are superimposed on each other when the parts are in folder position. There are then two thick 'nesses of corner-pocket material between the photographs 100 at each corner. Since the natural curl of the prints would tend to raise up thecorners, these registering corner mounts provide double spacing means at the best points. 7 Scratching of the prints or sniudglng of colorlng matter, like crayon colors, from one print to the other isminimized. l

At the top edge 5- of the panel 1 there is swingingly connected a flap 6; and to the bottom parallel edge 7 there is connected a further flap 8. Theseflaps may, for instance, be of the same cardboard material as the panel 1 and wing 2. In fact, it is convenient to manufacture all of the above named elements from one piece of material, so that they are integrally related.

The flaps constitute the front outer part of the device when it is folded up, or in folder position. For the sake of appearanee, which is especially important in this art, it is desirable to keep these wings as neat as possible. But they likewise fern the supports for the panel when the parts are arranged. tar fliiililff-tl1flt is, when they are joined into the easel position. I have found that it is possible to keep the flaps in plain unbent form and without 111- conspicuous or disfiguring attaching devices by providing one of them, say the flap 6, with a pair of slits 9 and 10. By way of illustration, slit 9 may be curved and engaged by the tapering end 11 of flap 8 when the parts are in the folder position illustrated in Fig. An approximately circular decorative figure or embossing 12 may be located upon the flap 6 in such a way that the slit 9 forms part of the atural lines of the decoration. This mall the slit relatively inconspicuous at all times. It will likewise be noted that the slit 10 is covered up by flap 8, so as to be invisible when the parts are in the folder position.

lVhen the parts are moved back to easel position, which is illustrated in Fig. 1, the flaps 6 and 8 are moved. about edges 5 and 7 through more than 180, and the tapering end 11 of flap 8 is engaged frictionally in slot 10. It will be noted that this engagement is obtained without any bend or other permanent distortion of the flaps, which would spoil their appearance, in the folder. The relative lengths of flaps 6 and 8 can be, of course, readily varied, but it is convenient to have flap 6 of approximately the same size as panel 1; and the flap 8 of the ime width but shorter length. In this way, flap 6 acts as a brace, when in the easel position, and flap 8 acts to hold it in its bracing position. In order to cause a reliable frictional engagement between tapering end 11 and the walls of slit 10, the slit is preferably provided with short upturned portions 13 which may be curved or straight, as herein illustrated. Vi'hen the tapered end 11 is pushed into the slit 10, i s edges tend to be slightly bent and pass into the upturned portions 13. Since the effect is not carried beyond the elastic limit of the material, said edges bend back when the parts are disengaged, so that the appearance is not spoiled. The slit may also be provided with cut-out portion 14.- to facilitate the entrance of the tapered end 11.

It is highly desirable to maintain the wing in a fixed relation to panel 1 when in the easel position. The 11' cans for accomplishing this should obviously be simple and inconspicuous, both in the easel and in the folder arrangements. I have found that a spacer 15, which is foldably connected to the edge 16 of wing 2 and to the lateral edge 17 of flap S, is effective. The operator has merely to fold the flaps 6 and 8 backward from folder position into the easel position of Fig. 1, whereupon spacer 15 practically auton'iatically unfolds and holds the wing 2 reliably in position, say in alignment with panel 1. In the preferred form of my intention, edges 16 of the wing and 17 of flap 8 are in alignment with edges 7 and 3 respectively of panel 1. lVhile spacer 15 may be of any suitable or decorative shape, it is preferably a diagonal strip, the outer edge of which is in alignment with one of the edges of tapered end 11. Spacing strip 15 is preferably formed integral with wing 2 and flap 8. In order to avoid an unsightly accumulation of material at the corners of the folder, which would also make it less easy to operate, ll cut away a triangular piece of material to leave opening 18 defined by edges 16, 17 and the inner edge 19 of the spacer 15.

Looking at Fig. 8, when the parts are to be moved to folder position, the wing 2 and spacer 15 are folded about edges 3 and 17 on to panel 1 and flap 8 respectively. Then flap 6 is folded about edge 5 on to wing 2 and finally flap 8 with spacer 15 on top of it is folded about edge 7 to the position shown in Fig. 2 with tapered end 11 engaging in slit 12. thus concealing spacer 15. In order to facilitate this folding, especially where corner pockets 4 provide additional thickness, it is desirable to form the hinged connection between the flags 6 and 8 and the panel 1 of a width at least as great as the thickness of the assembled folder parts. Thus flap 6 is preferably provided with a fold 19 parallel to edge. 5, and flap 8 is provided with fold 20 parallel. to edge 7. Since spacer 15 must take part in the folding movement, it is likewise preferably provided with an auxiliary fold 21 in aligmnent with fold 20.

in the form shown in Fig. 4 I provide panel 1 and flaps 6 and 8 as before, these being joined through edges an folds 5, 7, 19 and 20. Flap 6 is provided with slits 9 and 10 for the same purpose in cooperating with tapered end 11 of flap 8. On the edges 3 and 31 of the panel 1 I provide, however, wings swingingly mounted, say by the usual fold in the cardboard material. These wings may be of any size small enough to fold over panel 1, and they may be either plain or carry pictures. In the present illustration they are shown as plain wings of substantially half the width of the panel 1. Between these wings and the tongue 8 are spacers 15 folding about edges 17 and 171 of flap 8 and about edges 16 and 161 of wings 2. Folds 21 and 211 are provided in the strips 15 in approximate alignment with fold 20. From the description (if Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the use of the form shown in Fig. 4 will be obvious.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown an es pecially useful form in which the panel 1 is provided on its edges 3 and 31 with swinging wings 26, these being conveniently of approximately the same size as panel 1, so to fold one on top of the other over the panel in folder position. Vilhile wings 26 may be plain, I prefer to have their front faces receive pictures, and Corner pockets 1 and 11 may be provided for that purpose latter and the wings 28 are located the spacers 15. Inasmuch as these parts function substantially in the same way as those previously described, the use of them will be o bvious. V v y The number of wings may be varied and an odd or even umber may be employed. This is illustrated not only by the examples given with one or two wings, but by the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8 in which four wings are attached to a central panel, to

The panel 1 is provided about its upperedge with flap 6, having slits 9 and 10 therein.

At the bottom edge 7 is likewise swingingly mounted the flap 8 provided with a tapered end or tongue 111. Flaps 6 and 8 are provided with auxiliary folds 19 and 20. The edges 3 and 31 of panel 1 are swingingly joined to wings 27, the outer edges 271 of which are. also swingingly joined to wings 28. These wings may vary in size, but are preferably close to the size of panel 1,- so

that wings 28 may be folded over wings 27, and the united wings may then be folded one after the other over panel 1. The flaps G and 8 are then folded over the assembly to form a folder similar in appearance to that shown in Fig. 2. lVhile any or all of wings 27 and 28 may be plain, I prefer to mount a series of pictures or photographs on them, as well as on panel 1.

In order to retain the win s and the panels in fixed relation when in the easel position illustrated in Fig. 8, preferably in aligni'nent, I use spacers connecting them with flap 8. Vfhile there may be spacers from flap 8 to each wing, the structure may be sin'iplified by providing only one spacer on each side, these spacers being foldably connected to edges 17 and 171 of flap 8, and to edges 16 and 161 of wings 28. They are likewise provided with additional folds 21 and 211 which are in alignment with fold 20. They are also provided with folds 152 in substantial alignment with edges-271 of wings 27.

The distance between fold 20 and edge 7, which is substantially the same as the distance between folds 21 and edge 16 and between fold 211 and edge 161, is preferably, but not necessarily greater than the distance between the fold l9 and edge 5. This allows for the slightly thicker amount of material which must be embraced by the flap 8.

\Vhile the respective parts are preferably formed from one integral piece of material, they may nevertheless be formed from separate portions hinged or swingingly connected by suitable flexible material. Moreover the elements may likewise be formed may be :st

'integrallyjfrom a blank of relatively thin. paper orcardboard and then said elements engthenedby pasting on one or not stiffening sheets, snchstiifmore layer ening members being emitted at the folds andfswinging edges,". as will be "obvious.

Throughout the drawings I have, for con ve'nience, indicatcd the material to be displayed, sucli as pictures or photographs, by i ithe numeral 100. In Fi 4 a stifiening member, such as described above, is desi r nated by the numeral 101. Having thus described my invention", what I claim as new and desire to secure'by Leta l I 'ters Patent-1s: give a pleasing symmetrical arrangement. v

1. A photographic folder and easel com. prising a panelhaving a front p1cture-receiving face, at least one wing swingin'gly connected to said panel to swing thereover.

said panel, and a spacer'foltlably' attached, to said flap and to said wing for holding the latter in fixed relation tothe panel 'when the latter is in easel position. ,1 A photographic folder andeasel according to claim 1, in which the wing has a front face that moves over the front face of the panel when the wing is swung into folder position, and in which the flap swings over the wing in the folder position with the spacer between it and the wing.

3. A photographic folder and easel ac cording to claim 1, in which the spacer folds about an edge of the flap that is in line with the edge of the panel about which the wing swings and the spacer folds about an edge of the wing that is in line with the edge of the panel about which the flap folds.

4. A photographic folder and easel aci cording to claim 1 in which the edge of the. panel about which the wing swings is perpendicular to the edge of the panel, about which the flap folds, and the edges of the flap and of the wing, about which the spacer folds, are also perpendicular to each other and in alignment with said edges of the panel.

5. A photographic folder and easel according to claim 1, in which the edges of the panel, about which the Wing and flap swing and fold, intersect at right angles and the edges of the flap and wing about which the spacer folds are also at right angles and in line with said edges of the panel, said spacer extending diagonally from said flap to said wing and the intersecting edges of said flap, wing, and spacer surrounding a triangular opening at a corner of the panel.

6. A photographic folder and easel comprising a panel having a front picture-receiving face, at least one wing swingingly connected to said panel to fold thereover when in folder position and into alignment therewith when in easel position, flaps swingingly connected to opposite edges of said panel, said flaps being adapted to cover said panel and folded wing when in folder position and to support said easel in panel position when swung baclz of said panel and interengaged, and a spacer foldably attached to one of said flaps and said wing to fold under said flap when in folder position and to hold s-aid wing in alignment with said panel when in easel position.

7. A photographic folder and easel according to claim 6, in which the edge of the panel, about which the wing swings, is at right angles ,to the edges of the panel, about whichthe flaps swing, and the edges of the flap vand wing, about which the spacer folds, are at right angles to each other and in alignment with the edges of the panel.

8. A photographic folder and easel comprising a rectangular panel having a front picture-receiving face, wings swingingly connected to said panel to fold over said face when in folder position and into alignment with said panel, when in easel position with their lower edges in alignment with the low-- .er edge of said panel, a pair of flaps of the same width as said panel swingingly connected to the top and bottom edges thereof,

said flaps having means for interengaging them to cover said panel and folded wings when in folder position and means for intereng-aging them in supporting position when folded back of said panel to easel position, and spacer strips passing diagonally from parallel edges of the lower flap to the lower edges of said wings, said spacer strips being foldably connected to said edges to permit them to fold under said lower flap, when in folder position, and to hold said wings in alignment with the panel when in easel position.

9. A photographic folder and easel according to claim 8, the panel and wings having picture attaching devices for the front faces thereof and the swinging and foldable connections between the panel and lower flap and between the wings and spacers being of a width at least equal to the C0111- bined thickness of said panel, wings, upper flap and spacers.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 25th day of June, 1924.

ARTHUR A. LAWR-ENCE. 

